Healthier Generation Store FAQs - Workplace
Q: How does my workplace get started shopping?
A: First, visit www.healthiergeneration.org/amazon, and click on the “Create my free account” button midway down the page – this will take you to Amazon Business’ registration platform, where you can get started via three simple steps:
- Step #1: Create a free Amazon Business account. All you need is a valid email address and shipping address.
- Step #2. Start shopping the Healthier Generation Store (upon account activation within one-three business days).
- Step #3. Use your saved time for other activities!
Already have an Amazon Business account? Go straight to the store now.
Q: Do I need to create an Amazon Business account to shop in the Healthier Generation Store, or can I use my existing Amazon.com account?
A: If you represent a business or organization, creating an Amazon Business account may help you to secure business-level pricing, account management tools and payment solutions. If you do not represent a business or organization, the entire Healthier Generation store will still be available through a general consumer Amazon.com account, however many of the features available to business accounts will not be available to you.
Q: Can employees use the Healthier Generation Store to buy food for celebrations or events? Do they need to use the organization’s Amazon Business account, or can they use their own account(s)?
A: The Healthier Generation store will be accessible to both consumers (employees) and organizations (businesses). Whether employees have the ability to use their organization’s Amazon Business account is at the discretion of that entity and its procurement policies and procedures.
Q: What is the Healthier Generation Store with Amazon Business?
A: The Healthier Generation Store with Amazon Business is the first verified online store dedicated to selling products that align with the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities. The store allows you to easily identify and purchase healthier, compliant products for a variety of purposes, including snack and meal service, vending machines, organization stores, celebrations and events.
Q: Why was the Healthier Generation Store with Amazon Business created?
A: We believe that an organization's budget or zip code should not hamper its ability to serve healthier options. That’s why the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and Amazon Business partnered in 2016 to address the barriers schools, out-of-school time sites and workplaces face when purchasing healthier products.
The innovative partnership brought together Healthier Generation’s expertise in health and Amazon’s e-commerce platform and distribution channels. Through multiple pilots and market research, the partnership resulted in the creation of the Healthier Generation Store. This online store will make it easier for schools, out-of-school time programs, workplaces and vendors to identify and access healthier products that align with approved nutritional guidelines, regardless of an organization’s geographic location or what size of an order it may require.
Q: I’ve heard of Amazon. What is Amazon Business?
A: Amazon Business offers business-only pricing, expanded business selection and access to free shipping. Customers who have multiple users on their accounts have the ability to consolidate their purchasing under a single account, and to add a suite of professional purchasing tools to the Amazon experience they and their employees may already use. Amazon Business features approval workflows, tax-exempt purchasing, bulk shipping and more.
Q: How were the Healthier Generation Store products selected?
A: These products were determined to meet the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation based upon products’ ingredient statement and Nutrition Facts panel. More products will be added to the store on an ongoing basis.
Q: What are the “Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities”? How are these products “healthier?”
A: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilitiesare “a set of voluntary best business practices that can be used to increase healthy and safe food options for employees. The standards in the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities are designed to achieve three primary goals:
- Healthier foods and beverages are available and encouraged at federal facilities.
- Environmentally responsible practices are conducted in federal food service venues.
- Food safety practices are followed to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses.”
The CDC further writes, “In alignment with the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities include food and nutrition standards that support healthier choices; such as,
- A variety of fruit and vegetable options, including seasonal.
- Whole grain-rich options.
- Plant-based proteins.
- Lean protein entrees.
- Freely available drinking water.
- Meals, entrees, and sides with less sodium.”
Q: What information can you provide regarding shopping in the Healthier Generation Store & alignment with federal procurement regulations?
A: All purchasing must be made in accordance with federal, state, and local procurement regulations. Procurement regulations are highly complex. The Healthier Generation Store was created to provide schools, sites and workplaces with an option that may help them more easily access products that meet nutritional guidelines. We encourage schools, sites and organizations to connect with their organization procurement/purchasing department and/or State agency if they have questions regarding compliance with federal, state and/or local procurement regulations.
Q: You mentioned that the Healthier Generation Store sells products that align with the Food Service Guidelines for Federal Facilities (FSGFF). Are products aligning with any other sets of nutritional guidelines currently included in the Store?
A: Yes! Since the FSGFFand the National AfterSchool Association Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards (NAA HEPA) were both created to align with the USDA Smart Snacks in School Standards, the store also currently features products that align with the USDA Smart Snacks in School Standards and NAA HEPA. Additionally, we recently added items that align with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (or CACFP) Meal Pattern, as well.
Q: Is the Healthier Generation Store’s product selection likely to grow?
A: Yes, we will be working with Amazon Business and the food and beverage manufacturers that we engage to continually add products. Additionally, while the Store currently features shelf-stable items, our goal is to in time grow the selection to include fresh and/or other perishable items.
Q: The Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program and Healthy Out-of-School Time Program sound impactful and interesting. Can my local area schools and/or youth-serving organizations join?
A: Absolutely! We strongly recommend that you encourage your local area leaders that work within schools and/or youth-serving organizations to sign up for our Healthy Schools & Healthy Out-of-School Time Programs. By doing so, those leaders will receive additional resources to support healthier environments and to empower kids to develop lifelong healthy habits.
Q: Where do schools or sites go if they need more information/need help creating an account or using Amazon Business?
A: For additional registration information, please fill out the information form on www.healthiergeneration.org/amazon. For customer service, please visit www.amazonbusiness.com/contact or call (866) 486-2360 – please let them know that you are calling on referral from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, and would like to get started with the Healthier Generation Store.